I was fifteen when I first went to Italy. I went with my mum and my crazy old Auntie Jennie. I’d dreamed of Italy from a very young age, and my mum had always promised she’d take me. Finally, she could afford it. I’ll never forget the thrill of stepping off the plane into the warm night air. I was in love with the country before I ever saw it and after my first visit it was firmly lodged in my heart. The two-week vacation wasn’t long enough and when we left, I cried.

As the jet climbed into the night sky I looked longingly back at the bejeweled coast line of the Adriatic and wished I didn’t have to go home.

My first visit was to Rimini, back in the early seventies. The photo above is a little further south. It’s the coastline of Vasto, taken on my last visit in August of this year. Now I can visit this beautiful place whenever I want to, and call it home. The Chieti Province of Abruzzo. My new home. It took me 45 years to realize my dream, it was worth the wait.

The little town of Scala, perched on the beautiful green hills that tumble into the Mediterranean, has captured my heart. The little bars and restaurants were fantastic, great food and great company. The locals are friendly and made me feel at home.

Planning the perfect vacation is my hobby and I always do lots of research before finally finding somewhere. When I first saw the Villa Eustachio I was blown away and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It was beautiful. We were a party of 11 adults and the villa accommodated us with room to spare.

Pasquale and Marco were the best hosts anyone could wish for. Charming, attentive and helpful. They obviously love their properties and want to make sure their guest love them too. They also arranged our transfers to and from Naples, met us when we arrived and couldn’t have been more helpful.

Villa Eustachio is a beautiful villa, in a beautiful setting, and I highly recommend it. Check out the link below.

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The sun sets on my last evening in Rome. So sad to leave. Can’t believe three weeks have already passed. Arrivederci Roma. Milano, Lake Garda, Siena, Montepulciano, Angulllara Sabazia, Positano, Minori, Amalfi and last of all Ravello. I actually cried as I walked across the market square for the final time in Ravello. The people and the views will be with me forever.

Now the research begins to buy a second home here.

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I don’t think I’d ever tire of this view if I lived here. We walked from Ravello to Amafi today. The steps were pretty uneven in places so you hat to watch your footing. It was very hot, around 36 degrees, but worth it. The gelato at the bottom was delicious.